ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Wolverines fell to the No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks 38-17 and extended their losing streak against top teams to nine.
Michigan looked outmatched in the first half of Saturday‘s (Nov. 2) showdown vs. the Ducks, who were flying high as the men in maize’s offense continued to rear their ugly heads.
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But somehow, the Wolverines had the ball down 14 on their own 20-yard line with fourth down and five yards to play. Offensively, Kirk Campbell inserted Alex OrjiLoveland had a season-high 112 yards on seven receptions, while Warren completed 12-21 for 164 yards and two touchdowns in defeat., who ran a wide receiver pass play to Semaj Morgan, who looked to toss the ball back to Orji, but the play was covered.
Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore discusses what happened on the curious fourth down play and explains why it was called.
— Brandon L. Carr (@Carrpediem21) November 3, 2024
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Morgan, looking like he saw a ghost, tossed the ball 15 yards out of bounds instead of just running for five yards to kill the drive and ultimately end the Wolverines' late-game surge and the game. They now fall to 5-4 on the season.
The Wolverines entered the matchup with one hand tied behind their backs, as they were without both of their starting cornerbacks (Will Johnson and Jyaire Hill), amongst many other key figures.
However, it wouldn‘t have made a difference, as the offense, as it has done in past weeks, couldn’t move the ball down the field to save their lives.
#MichiganWolverines are without their starting corners against Oregon. It’s going be a tough game this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/l4OlmsWGBz
— Brandon L. Carr (@Carrpediem21) November 2, 2024
The defeat was their ninth against an AP No.1 ranked team since 1984, and it got ugly early and often inside the Big House.
| Year | Opponent | Results |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Brigham Young University | Lost |
| 1985 | Iowa Hawkeyes | Lost |
| 1988 | Miami Hurricanes | Lost |
| 1989 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Lost |
| 1990 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Lost |
| 1991 | Florida State Seminoles | lost |
| 2004 | USC Trojans | Lost |
| 2006 | Ohio State Buckeyes | Lost |
| 2024 | Oregon Ducks | Lost |
The Wolverines got the ball to start out the game, and on its first play, running back Donovan Edwards got tackled for a five-yard loss before they went three-and-out after quarterback Davis Warren bumped into his lineman and fumbled to end the drive.
Dillon Gabriel came out firing. The Ducks' first three plays of the game were nine-yard or more passes to set up a red zone opportunity.
Gabriel went 7-7 for 47 yards and a touchdown to Evan Stewart for an unbelievable catch on a fade ball in the corner of the endzone, capping off a 12-play, 63-yard drive to take an early 7-0 lead.
Michigan started their second drive with a Colston Loveland screen pass for negative two yards, followed by a Warren scramble for six yards before he fumbled the ball at his own 20-yard line for another punt.
The Wolverines got a break after returner Ryan Pellum fumbled, which Joe Taylor forced, and C.J. Charleston recovered at the Oregon 28-yard line.
Edwards rushed the ball for an 18-yard gain, but a penalty pushed the ball back five yards before a scramble drive by Warren connected with wide receiver Tyler Morris, making a miraculous grab for six.
But Gabriel showed why he was the Heisman favorite, leading the high-octane Ducks on a six-play, 75-yard drive for another touchdown to go up 14-7.
On the Ducks' first two drives, they accumulated 123 yards, with 91 coming through the air and 32 on the ground.
The Wolverines were forced to punt again, ending a five-play, 14-yard drive, and the crowd knew they were in trouble as their biggest offensive drive started with a fumbled punt.
With nine minutes remaining in the second quarter, Michigan accumulated 53 total yards, and only three first downs as head coach Sherrone Moore and offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell couldn’t get the abysmal offense going.
Warren completed three of six passes for 12 yards, and the Wolverines had no other options to turn to.
The crowd knew the game was over early after Gabriel led his Ducks on another long touchdown drive.
Running back Noah Whittington broke a tackle for a six-yard touchdown to make it 21-7.
Warren finally hit some deep passes to Loveland for 18 yards on a double flea-flicker and another for 36 yards, but the drive stalled on the 20-yard line, forcing a Dominic Zvada 38-yard field goal to draw the game to 21-10.
Gabriel hit wide receiver Traeshon Holden for 44 yards to put the Ducks in scoring position before scrambling for a 23-yard touchdown to take a 28-10 lead into the half.
The Wolverines' defense opened up the second half, forcing their second three-and-out of the day.
Oregon‘s three-and-out inspired the Wolverines’ offense, as Warren hit Loveland early and often on that drive, ending in a Peyton O’Leary six-yard touchdown grab.
Loveland snagged three catches for 55 yards to assist in that 10-play 65-yard drive to bring the score to 28-17.
The momentum seemed to be shifting. Michigan forced another punt down 28-17. With the crowd back into the game, they were called for a five-yard penalty, which resulted in a first down.
Gabriel led the Ducks on a 15-play, 67-yard drive, chewing off six minutes and 33 seconds while adding another field goal to take a 31-17 lead. The Wolverines' late-game shenanigans ultimately led to the loss.
Gabriel was 22-34 for 294 yards and one touchdown. Runningback Jordan James led all ball carriers with 117 yards and one touchdown, while Holden led all receivers with 149 yards and one touchdown.
Loveland had a season high 112 yards on seven receptions while Warren completed 12-21 for 164 yards and two touchdowns in defeat.
The Wolverines will travel to Indiana to take on the No. 13 ranked Hoosiers.
